Hernod was stuttered and slight, as she replied, “Aye, he-he's in the kitchen.Sh-should I get him for ye, sir?”
“That'llbe all right, lass, but can ye lead me to the kitchen?” I asked, putting mybadge away.
Shenodded, before leading the way through the maze of tables and chairs. Rosiefollowed close behind me, while TJ took the rear, as diners watched withcurious, speculating eyes. The three of us together must’ve been quite aspectacle, and we were drawing too much attention—TJ especially. I realized hewas obviously too young and stopped before the young woman could push throughthe kitchen door.
“Laddie, yegottawait out here,”I told him in a whisper, and his jaw dropped open to protest, but I stopped himwith a point of my finger. “I need ye to stand guard. Donotlet anyonein, and if anybody gives ye shite, come and get me. Can ye do that?”
Hiseyes now lit up with purpose, and he nodded. “Yeah, I can do that.”
“Good,”I said, then turned to Rosie. “Remember, if ye feelyercontrolslippin, ye leave.”
Shepulled in a deep, calming breath, allowed her shoulders to slump a bit, andsaid, “I'm okay, I'll be fine.”
Withthat, I nodded for the young woman to push through the door, and we entered ajungle of stainless steel. The air was filled with a multitude of scents and acacophony of spitting pans and clanging utensils, along with the jubilantchatter of several men. She took us around a corner, past an array of pots,pans, and knives, with me taking note of all their locations, and to a longstrip of countertops and a range.
“James?”she asked, in a quiet, meek voice.
Aman looked up from his work at a counter, and I noted the large chef's knife inhis hand. “Aye?”
“Thesepeople are here to speak with ye,” she said, glancing up at me, as I walkedpast her to stand before him without fear.
Threeother men watched with narrowed, accusatory glances, and I asked kindly if theyand the young lass could leave us for a moment. One of them, the tallest of thebunch, argued that they had work to do, and I replied, “And so do I. The soonerye let me do mine, I can let ye get back toyers.”With that, the group slinked away, raking their eyes over both Rosie and mewith sour, disgruntled irritation, until we were finally alone.
Jamesswallowed and asked, “Yerthe inspector?”
Inodded solemnly, taking in the look of this man, his stature and demeanor. Hishand shook, still wrapped around the grip of the knife, while his throat bobbedincessantly, and I knew immediately that I was staring at a person who waseither guilty or terrified—or both.
“So,yerbrother Roland told ye I wascomin',did he?”
“Hedid,” he answered in a hoarse voice. “Am I … am I in some sort of trouble?”
“Wouldye please put that knife down and step away from the counter?” I asked,gesturing toward his trembling hand.
“I'venever been questioned before by the police,” he explained needlessly. “I'venever—”
“Mate,”I interrupted. “Put down the knife, and then, we'll talk.”
Slowly,he did as he was told and stepped away from the counter, pressing his back tothe countertop behind him. His arms crossed tightly over his chest, seeminglyunable to look at me, but then, his eyes landed on Rosie, and his gaze openedwide.
“James,can ye tell me what happened to Grace Allan?”
“Ye'reher sister?” he asked Rosie, ignoring my question.
Imoved to stand in his line of sight and block his view of her. “I will ask yeagain. What happened to Grace? What can ye tell me about that night?”
Heshook his head, addressing me now with a set jaw and twitching eye. “There'snothin' for me to tell.”
“Ah,come on, mate,” I said, standing opposite of him and mirroring his positionwith my arms crossed and head cocked. “There must besomethin'ye can tell me. Ye had a wee dram, didn't ye? Ye brought her home, ye—”
“No,”he interrupted, tightening his arms against his chest.
Noddingand sucking at my teeth, I casually laid my hand on the counter, the grip ofthe knife beneath my palm. “There must besomethin'ye can tell me, James.Somethin' ye can tell me tohelp us out—”
“Whydon'tyoutell me what the fuck isgoin' on?”he asked abruptly. “Why the hell are ye here,askin'me this shite?”
Ioffered a shrug and a morose crumple of my forehead. “I already think ye ken,mate.”
“Didsomethin' happen to her orsomethin'?”
